http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/big-dam-tour

 

Pretty much turned out exactly as I'd expect. All motorcycle writers always seem to prefer the most sport-like bike.

Some commenter said it best -- the K1600B shouldn't have been in that group, as it's too different; the K1600B should be pitted against the new Gold Wing. Those are two birds of a feather.

(I'm not down on the K1600B, in fact I intend to buy one of the damn things if the dealer will ever bother himself to get the low seat in so I can fit on it; BMWs seem to have been designed exclusively for NBA players)...

 

the 1600B is not even in the same class as any of those let alone the gold wing. Owning several of those, WTF the Yamaha, no thanks. I would have to give the road glide the first spot as it really does offer the best wind protection. My road glide ultra is top notch in that category. Nothing can beat the BMW for performance though, it really is a race engine, built up as a claimed bagger, I have yet to use its full power because within a few seconds I am always triple digit speed without even cracking the throttle. They were right though the Harley does not feel as cheap as the Yamaha etc, they feel cheap with all the plastic. Hope Harley never changes and goes that route.

 

I guess we might be a bit biased here but I would love to try all of them...

 

Check the BMW K1600 Forum for GARS Lowering Links. The K1600 height can be reduced by 1", 1.5", or 2" without compromising shock travel and ride quality.

 

The 1600 would be a rocket ship, I’m lucky and have a local BMW shop, but they don’t care about the customer. Insane shop rates and wait times for service. I had an 09 boxer Twin for a commuter, it ran hard but maintenance costs were too much.

 

I like the idea of actually lowering the bike more than lowering the seat, as the seat would inherently compromise comfort, but -- how can lowering it not compromise travel? Certainly lean angle must be compromised, at least, right?

I don't know why their seat heights have to be so astronomical. The 2018 Softail lineup has an average seat height of about 26", my Fat Bob has the highest seat in the lineup at 27.8". The LOW seat on the BMW K1600B is a full two inches higher than that! The frickin' R1200GSA, their best seller, has a seat height of 35". That's NINE INCHES higher than the Softails.

Harley even goes out of their way to offer the Ultra Limited in a LOW version, taking a couple of inches off its normally low height. I don't get BMW and their sky-high, 40-inch inseam bikes. I've met lots of Germans, they ain't that tall. Sigh. I love everything about the K1600B and would buy one today, if I could just fit on it. I'm not going to do the one-foot down, hop-on-the-*****-of-your-toes dance with a $24,000, 800-pound motorcycle.

But I want one. Dangit.

Maybe those lowering links are the answer... or leg extension surgery...

 

I agree some of these great touring bikes are just not short people friendly.